There are probably some sins you can get away with and stay in the ministry. Adultery isn't one of them. In spite of America's moral decline, people still expect marital fidelity of their pastors and presidents. Commit adultery and you are usually out of the ministry -- at least for a time.

But we all know that ministers are susceptible to sexual temptation. Some say more so. So, how can we protect ourselves from the sudden death resulting from ministerial adultery?

Over 30 years I've collected the advice of Minister-Old-timers on sexual temptation. These old war horses might sound a bit old fashioned, and they are so gender-specific in their advice, they are easy to ignore. However, given recent events, it wouldn't hurt us to revisit some of their seemingly antiquated advice and reconsider their counsel.

1. Beware of emotional attachments.

Improper relationships often begin with a common interest until a couple simply falls for each other. The couple eventually starts meeting deep emotional needs until they are swept off their feet. Old-timers taught us to be careful of intimate friendships between the sexes. Most of us chuckled at their old fashioned view of all relationships being sexual. Was there some truth to this advice?

2. Watch out if you get successful.

I don't know if they were right or not, but the Old-timers used to say the more successful you got the more likely you'd be tempted sexually. They believed that your success made you a more attractive candidate for other women and the Devil. They taught us to watch out when we were getting people saved, taking in lots of members, doing powerful preaching, having great revivals, and our churches were growing explosively -- they warned how we might figure we could get away with a little sin on the side considering how we were surrounded by such success. Were they right about any of this?

3. Don't spend time alone with the opposi